New CE for Wellington Free Ambulance

NEW ROLE: Diana Crossan will take up the new job at Wellington Free Ambulance in February.

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Wellington Free Ambulance has appointed a new chief executive.

Former Retirement Commissioner Diana Crossan will take up the post on February 25.

Alan O'Beirne stepped down at the end of last year after being in the top spot for more than three years, during which time he made it his mission to make Wellington the safest place in the world to have a heart attack.

He was struck down by a heart attack in November 2011, but survived thanks to his wife Julie, who kept him alive using CPR training provided by Wellington Free.

Mr O'Beirne said he had stepped down to focus on other opportunities, including "returning to full health".

Wellington Free chairman Ross Martin said he was delighted that Ms Crossan had chosen to lead the organisation as her next challenge.

"Diana has a very impressive track record across the private and public sectors. During her decade as Retirement Commissioner she was an energetic and influential champion of financial literacy and retirement income policy and her achievements have received widespread acclaim.

"Diana is committed to our mission and we're looking forward to her stamping her mark on our organisation."

Ms Crossan said she was keen to lead an organisation that provided such an important service to so many people throughout the Wellington region.

"Wellington Free Ambulance is vital to the Wellington community and healthcare landscape. It has been operated to a very high standard in the past and I'm looking forward to the challenge of maintaining those standards and securing the organisation's future."